Polar Express now departing from Bryson City

The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s version of The Polar Express™ will continue running through Dec. 24.

The round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell.

Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

In 1985, Chris Van Allsburg wrote The Polar Express™, a story of a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. The train takes a young boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

Ticket prices begin at $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 2-12. Children under 2 years old ride complimentary. For more information and reservations call 800.872-4681 or visit us online at www.GSMR.com.

Crown Class ticket prices are $49 for adults, $36 for children 2-12 and $10 for under two years. First-class seating upgrades are available. Each guest will receive a deluxe serving of warm cocoa in a souvenir Polar Express™ mug and other treats in addition to the standard offerings. Ticket prices for first class are $59 for adults and $41 for children. Children under 2 years old are $10. The Polar Express™ Christmas Eve Limited ticket prices are $50 and children 2-12 are $37. First class seating upgrades are also available. Adult ticket prices are $72, children 2-12 are $50 and $16 for under two years.

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets. Without train excursion admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children.

Reading Room

So, Scout (Jean Louise) comes back home to Maycomb — where “everyone is either kin or almost kin”— at age 26 and after being “away” and living in New York City for several years. Sixteen years have gone by since we last heard from her in the pages of To Kill a Mockingbird, and the Maycomb she comes home to isn’t the same Maycomb we know from the 1960 novel.

This Must Be the Place

For the better part of the last decade, my life during the summer was music festivals. From Maine to California, Michigan to Arkansas, I was there, in an endless crowd, cheering on the greatest musicians of our time. In those innumerable moments, I felt more alive, at home, and at peace, than anywhere else in the world.